Systems for securing and retaining positions of layered outerwear

ABSTRACT

There is provided a system for securing and retaining positions of layered outerwear, the system comprising a garment including a hood and a hood-securing element having a first side and a second side opposite the first side, the hood-securing element affixed to the hood by the second side in a position on an inside of the hood proximate to a top of the hood, the hood-securing element having an aperture in the first side defining an opening to a cavity, the cavity defining a volume for engaging a hat button of a hat such that the cavity substantially encloses a hat button of a hat when the securing element is installed the hat, further comprising at least one retention element extending from an edge of the aperture towards a center of the aperture, the retention element for engaging the hood-securing element with the hat button of the hat.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present application claims the benefit of and priority to a U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/971,892, filed Feb. 7, 2020,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into thepresent application.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to systems for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, substantially as shown in and/ordescribed in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forthmore completely in the claims.

In other embodiment, the system comprises a garment including a hood anda hood-securing element having a first side and a second side oppositethe first side, the hood-securing element affixed to the hood by thesecond side in a position on an inside of the hood proximate to a top ofthe hood, the hood-securing element having an aperture in the first sidedefining an opening to a cavity, the cavity defining a volume forengaging a hat button of a hat such that the cavity substantiallyencloses a hat button of a hat when the hood-securing element isinstalled the hat.

In another embodiment, the system further comprises at least oneretention element extending from an edge of the aperture towards acenter of the aperture, the retention element for engaging thehood-securing with the hat button of the hat.

In another embodiment, the hood-securing element includes a plurality ofapertures on the first side of the hood-securing element each of theplurality of apertures is positioned to secure the hood in acorresponding position relative to the hat.

In another embodiment, the plurality of apertures includes at least onecorresponding retention element.

In another embodiment, the plurality of apertures is arranged in a gridhaving at least one row and at least one column.

In another embodiment, the hood-securing element secures the hoodlaterally and allows rotation of the hat without moving the hood.

In another embodiment, the cavity extends at least part way through aheight of the securing element.

In another embodiment, the hood-securing element includes a trackextending from a first edge of the hood-securing element through aportion of a depth of the hood securing element.

In another embodiment, the track includes at least a retention elementextending from a side of the track towards a center of the track.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 shows a diagram depicting a cross section of a system forsecuring and retaining positions of layered outerwear, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 shows another system for securing and retaining positions oflayered outerwear, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 3, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 3, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of another system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 6, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 6, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of another system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 9, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 9, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a cross-section of another exemplary systemfor securing and retaining positions of layered outerwear, according toone embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 13 shows an image of an exemplary system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 14 shows a detail image of the system of FIG. 13, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description contains specific information pertaining toimplementations in the present disclosure. The drawings in the presentapplication and their accompanying detailed description are directed tomerely exemplary embodiments. Unless noted otherwise, like orcorresponding elements among the figures may be indicated by like orcorresponding reference numerals. Moreover, the drawings andillustrations in the present application are generally not to scale andare not intended to correspond to actual relative dimensions.

Wearing layers of clothing can create challenges in movement for theindividual wearing the clothing, especially when the different layers ofthe clothing interfere with each other. For example, the frictionbetween an inner item of clothing and an outer layer of clothing maycause the inner layer to twist, move, or become disarranged underneaththat outer layer. Similarly, the outer layer of clothing may twist,move, or become disarranged over underlayers of clothing. Additionally,the friction and movement may cause some of the individual's clothing tobecome disarranged and remain disarranged even when the individualreturns to his/her previous position.

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of an exemplary system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. The system may be useful for securing andmaintaining outwear in place. In some embodiments, the system my includea device for securing the hood of a hooded shirt, sweatshirt, or jacketin place when the hood is worn over a baseball cap style hat. As shownin FIG. 1, individual 101 is depicted wearing a sweatshirt with hood102. The system includes securing element 120 with aperture 130 attachedto hood 102. Securing element 120 may be used to hold hood 102 in placewhen hat 110 is worn by individual 101. Aperture 130 may engage hatbutton 115 to secure hood 102 in place. In some embodiments, securingelement 120 may provide lateral security while allowing rotationalfreedom.

As shown in FIG. 1, hat 110 has a curved bill with a rounded crown thatincludes a plurality of vent holes and is topped by hat button 115. Hatbutton 115 may be located at the convergence of various panels formingthe rounded crown of hat 110. In some embodiments, the various panelsmay be formed from fabric, such as cotton, polyester, wool, or blendedfabrics, or the various panels may be formed from netting. In someembodiments, the hat may be formed using panels of different types ofmaterial, such as cloth for the front panels and netting used for theside and back panels.

Securing element 120 may have a width, a length, and a depth. As shownin FIG. 1, securing element 120 is rectangular in shape. In otherembodiments, securing element 120 may be round, oblong, or circular.Securing element 120 may include one or more mounting locks. Themounting locks may be a volume defined by a cavity in securing element120. In some embodiments, the cavity may be approximately the dimensionsof hat button 115 on the top of hat 110. The cavity may allow securingelement 120 to be installed over and around hat button 115 on the top ofhat 110 to restrict the front-to-back and side-to-side motion ofsecuring element 120. When securing element 120 is affixed to hood 102,the motion restriction will cause hood 102 to stay in place over hat110.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram depicting a cross section of a system forsecuring and retaining positions of layered outerwear, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, individual 201wears hat 210. Securing element 220 is mounted in hood 202 and engageshat button 215. In some embodiments, securing element 220 may beincluded in hood 202 of the apparel during manufacture of the apparel orsecuring element 220 may be installed in the apparel. In someembodiments, securing element 220 may be temporarily installed, such asby using a semi-permanent adhesive, tape, a hook-and-loop fastener, orother semi-permanent attachment method. In some embodiments, securingelement 220 may be permanently installed in hood 202, such as by gluingsecuring element 220 to the hood with a permanent adhesive or sewingsecuring element 220 to the fabric of the hood using thread.

In some embodiments, securing element 220 may include a cavity defininga volume. The cavity may be larger than hat button 215 such that whensecuring element 220 is installed over hat button 215, the cavity mayleave a space surrounding hat button 215 as shown by gap 240. Gap 240may allow securing element 220 to hold hood 202 in place over hat 210.Installing securing element 220 over hat button 215 may allow securingelement 220 to maintain hood 202 laterally, such that hood 202 willremain substantially in place in a font-to-back position on the head ofindividual 201 and side-to-side on the head of individual 201. In someembodiments, gap 240 may allow hat 210, and the head of individual 201,to rotate underneath hood 202 without turning, dragging, or disarranginghood 202. Freedom of rotational movement may allow individual 201 toparticipate in various activities, such as driving, playing sports, orexercising, without interference from hood 202.

In some embodiments, securing element 220 may be made from polystyrenefoam, such as Styrofoam®, plastic, felt, or other appropriate materials.In some embodiments, securing element 220 may fit inside the top of ahooded sweatshirt, allowing the hood to securely fasten to the top ofhat 110. In some embodiments, securing element 220 may include aplurality of apertures (not shown) enabling the hood to be secured inone of a plurality of positions, allowing the individual to adjust theposition of the hood to multiple desired lengths atop the hat. Thesystem may keep the hood in place by virtue of “smooth lock” technologykeeping the hat button secure inside the securing system, while allowingthe hat to be worn straight or angled in other desired orientations.

FIG. 3 shows another system for securing and retaining positions oflayered outerwear, according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure. Securing element 320 has a width, a depth, and a height.Aperture 330 defines an opening in one side of securing element 320opening to a cavity defining a volume in securing element 320. In someembodiments, the cavity may extend partially through the height ofsecuring element 320. In other embodiments, the cavity may extentthrough the height of securing element 320, defining an opening on thesecond side of securing element 320. Aperture 330 may have a diameterabout the equal to the diameter of hat button 115. In some embodiments,the diameter of aperture 330 may be slightly larger than the diameter ofhat button 115. Securing element 320 may include “smooth lock”technology, where “smooth lock” technology includes one or moreretention elements 331. As shown in FIG. 3, securing element 320includes four retention elements comprising triangular tabs extendingfrom the edge of aperture 330 towards the center of aperture 330.

The retention elements may be formed from a flexible or semi-rigidmaterial. In some embodiments, the retention elements may besufficiently flexible to allow passage of hat button 115 from one sideof securing element 320 through aperture 330. During installation ofsecuring element 320, the prongs of the retention elements may flex toaccommodate the circumference of the hat button, allowing the hat buttonto pass through the retention element until the prongs of the retentionelement are underneath hat button 115 securing element 320 in place. Theretention elements may rest between hat button 115 and the top of hat110. Such an arrangement may allow the retention elements to retainsecuring element 320 on hat button 115 while allowing rotational motionof hat 110 under hood 102 without the motion of hat 110 inducing motion,displacement, or disarrangement of hood 102. In other embodiments, theretention element may include a magnet to create a magnetic connectionwith hat button 115 if the hat button includes a paramagnetic orferromagnetic element.

In some embodiments, aperture 330 may have a circumference approximatelyequal to or slightly larger than the circumference of hat button 115such that the sidewalls of the cavity are in contact with thecircumference of hat button 115 when installed on hat 110. This contactmay enable secure restriction of securing element 320 and affixed hoodby friction between securing element 120 and the hat button. In otherembodiments, aperture 330 may have a circumference slightly larger thanthe circumference of hat button 115. The difference in circumference ofthe cavity and the hat button may allow for easier installation andremoval of securing element 320 on the hat button of the hat. The largercircumference of the cavity may also facilitate movement of the hatwithout causing movement of the hood. The larger circumference of thecavity will allow the individual to turn her/his head from side to side,and because securing element 120 has room to move around the hat button,the hood may stay in place facing forward while the individual's headand the hat rotate.

In some embodiments, securing element 320 may include a plurality ofapertures (not shown) defining a corresponding plurality of securingpositions. This allows the individual to install securing element 320 inhood 102 and select a preferred position in which to secure hood 102over hat 110. Each aperture may include corresponding retentionelements.

In some implementations, individual 101 may select to install securingelement 320 in hood 102 along a front-to-back axis of hood 102, allowingthe individual to select how far forward the hood falls on the front ofthe hat. For example, by securing hood 102 with the securing optionclosest to the face-opening of the hood, the individual may choose tokeep the hood farther back on hat 110 making the front of hat 110 andany decoration displayed on hat 110 more exposed and visible to others.In other implementations, the individual may use a middle or rearsecuring option and have hood 102 fall father over the front of hat 110.Such an arrangement may allow the individual to stay warmer by enclosingmore of the individual's head and face in hood 102.

In other implementations, securing element 320 may include a pluralityof apertures and a corresponding plurality of cavities. Individual 101may install securing element 320 in hood 102 in a configuration acrossthe head of individual 101, spanning in a direction extending from earto ear. Such an arrangement may allow individual 101 to wear hat 110 ina cockeyed position, i.e., tilted off to a side, but still use securingelement 320 to position hood 102 in the center of individual 101's head.

In some embodiments, securing element 320 may include a single securingoption or a plurality of securing options. For example, securing element320 may include one securing option for securing the hood in place. Inother embodiments, securing element 320 may include two or more securingoptions. Securing element 320 may include a plurality of securingoptions arranged in a row. In other implementations, securing element320 may include a plurality of securing options arranged in rows andcolumns, such as a configuration including nine options arranged asthree rows of three securing options each. Such a configuration wouldallow for nine unique positions for hood 102 to be chosen by individual101 without removal and reinstallation of securing element 320.

As shown in FIG. 3, securing element 320 has a width, depth, and height.In some embodiments, the height of securing element 320 may be slightlytaller than the height of hat button 115 extending above hat 110.Securing element 320 includes aperture 330 defining an opening throughwhich hat button 115 of hat 110 may pass. Aperture 330 may be an openingto a cavity.

In some embodiments, aperture 330 may be a circular aperture and mayhave a circumference slightly larger than the circumference of hatbutton 115. In some embodiments, aperture 330 is an opening to cavity,where the cavity defines a volume in securing element 320.

In some embodiments, the cavity may have a volume slightly large thanhat button 115 allowing securing element 320 to surround and include hatbutton 115 and allow hat 110, including hat button 115, to rotateunderneath securing element 320. The gap between hat button 115 andaperture 330 of securing element 320 may allow rotation withoutsufficient friction to cause movement of hood 102 when individual 101turns her/his head.

In some embodiments, the cavity may extend through the height ofsecuring element 320 such that aperture 330 is on a first side ofsecuring element 320 and the cavity extends through the second side ofsecuring element 320, defining an aperture on the second side (notshown). In some embodiments, the cavity may be shaped to accommodate hatbutton 115, with a small gap between hat button 115 and the walls of thecavity.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 3, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 shows securing element 420with aperture 430. Aperture 430 defines an opening through which hatbutton 115 may pass, allowing securing element 420 to connect hood 102to hat 110. As shown in FIG. 4, securing element 420 includes retentionelements 431. Retention elements may be optionally included as a featureof securing element 420 and may enable securing element 420 to make amore secure connection between hood 102 and hat 110. In someembodiments, aperture 430 may extend partially through securing element420, or aperture 430 may extend from the first side of securing element420 through to the second side of securing element 420 defining a bore.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 3, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, securingelement 520 includes aperture 530 (not visible) on the underside ofsecuring element 520. Cavity 533 in shown extending partially throughthe height of securing element 520. When installed on hat 110, cavity533 may substantially enclose hat button 115 securing hood 102 in placelaterally over hat 110.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of another system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6, securing element 620 includesaperture 630 defining the opening to track 633. Track 633 may have awidth approximately equal to or slightly greater than the diameter ofhat button 115. In some embodiments, track 633 may extend from a frontside of securing element 620 part of the way through the length ofsecuring element 620. In some embodiments, track 633 may include aplurality of retention elements spaced at positions along the length oftrack 633. In such an embodiment, installation of securing element 620on hat button 115 may be performed by engaging the front of track 633with hat button 115 and sliding hat button 115 into track 633. Theretention elements may allow individual 101 to control the position ofhood 102 on hat 110. In some embodiments, track 633 may be configured tofit around hat button 115 to allow hat button 115 to slide along thetrack, and a lower track portion extending underneath the circumferenceof hat button 115 to prevent securing element 620 from being easilyremoved, such as by a gust of wind. In some embodiments, track 633 mayallow individual 101 to control the position of hood 102 over hat 110.

FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 6, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, aperture 730extending through the length of securing element 720 and defining theopening of track 733. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the system of FIG. 6,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.8, track 833 extends part of the way though the height of securingelement 820 and part of the way through the length of securing element820.

FIG. 9 shows a diagram of another system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 9, securing element 920 includesaperture 930, retaining elements 931, and mounting portals 937. In someembodiments, securing element 920 may include two mounting portals 937or four mounting portals 937. In other embodiments, securing element 920may include one or more mounting portals 937. Mounting portals 937 maybe used to affix securing element 920 to a garment, such as hood 102.Mounting portals 937 may be used to affix securing element 920 to agarment using, for example, thread or fabric tape.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom view of the system of FIG. 9, according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 10, aperture 1030is located approximately in the center of securing element 1020.Retaining element 1031 extend from the edge of aperture 1030 towards thecenter of aperture 1030. Securing element 1020 is shown including fourmounting portals 1037. In other embodiments, securing element 1020 mayhave any number of mounting portals. FIG. 11 shows a side view of thesystem of FIG. 9, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.As shown in FIG. 11, securing element 1120 is a thin profile securingelement and may have a profile that substantially fits between hat 110and hat button 115.

FIG. 12 shows a diagram of a cross-section of another exemplary systemfor securing and retaining positions of layered outerwear, according toone embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 12, securingelement 1220 is a circular element. Securing element 1220 includesmounting element 1251 and mounting element 1253 defining mountingchannel 1252. In some embodiments, securing element 1220 may beinstalled in hood 102 with mounting element 1251 disposed on an outsideof the hood, such as the side of the hood that faces hat 110. Thematerial of hood 102, or a layer of material of hood 102, engagessecuring element 1220 in mounting channel 1252 thereby holding securingelement 1220 in place in hood 102. In some embodiments, securing element1220 may be a two-part element, the two portions being thread ablyengaged allowing securing element 1220 to be disassembled andreassembled for ease of mounting securing element 1220 in hood 102.

In other embodiments, securing element may be a two-part elementincluding a snap-fit or pressure fit assembly allowing securing element1220 to be disassembled and reassembled for ease of mounting securingelement 1220 in hood 102. In other embodiments, securing element 1220may be formed from a single piece, such as by a molded plastic. Thefabric used to form hood 102 may be stretched around mounting element1251 or mounting element 1253 to engage in mounting channel 1252.

As shown in FIG. 12, securing element 1220 includes a plurality ofretention elements 1231. Retention elements 1231 may be flexible,semi-flexible, or semi-rigid tabs for installing securing element 1220on hat button 115. As shown in FIG. 12, securing element 1220 includes aplurality of retention elements 1231. In other embodiments, retentionelement 1231 may be a circular gasket, such that retention element 1231may flex to accommodate passage of hat button 1251 through the apertureof securing element 1220.

FIG. 13 shows an image of an exemplary system for securing and retainingpositions of layered outerwear, according to one embodiment of thepresent disclosure. As shown in FIG. 13, hood 1302 includes securingelement 1320. FIG. 14 shows a detail image of the system of FIG. 13,according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG.14, securing element 1420 is mounted in hood 1402 and includes retentionelements 1431.

From the above description, it is manifest that various systems anddevices can be used for implementing the systems and devices describedin the present application without departing from the scope of thoseconcepts. Moreover, while the systems and devices have been describedwith specific reference to certain implementations and embodiments, aperson having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that changes canbe made in form and detail without departing from the scope of thoseimprovements. As such, the described implementations and embodiments areto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Itshould also be understood that the present application is not limited tothe particular implementations and embodiments described above, but manyrearrangements, modifications, and substitutions are possible withoutdeparting from the scope of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a garment including a hoodand a hood-securing element having a first side and a second sideopposite the first side, the hood-securing element affixed to the hoodby the second side in a position on an inside of the hood proximate to atop of the hood, the hood-securing element having an aperture in thefirst side defining an opening to a cavity, the cavity defining a volumefor engaging a hat button of a hat such that the cavity substantiallyencloses a hat button of a hat when the hood-securing element isinstalled the hat.
 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising at leastone retention element extending from an edge of the aperture towards acenter of the aperture, the retention element for engaging thehood-securing element with the hat button of the hat.
 3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the hood-securing element includes a plurality ofapertures on the first side of the hood-securing element each of theplurality of apertures is positioned to secure the hood in acorresponding position relative to the hat.
 4. The system of claim 3,where each of the plurality of apertures includes at least onecorresponding retention element.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein theplurality of apertures are arranged in a grid having at least one rowand at least one column.
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein thehood-securing element secures the hood laterally and allows rotation ofthe hat without moving the hood.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thecavity extends at least part way through a height of the securingelement.
 8. The system of claim 1, wherein the hood-securing elementincludes a track extending from a first edge of the hood-securingelement through a portion of a depth of the hood securing element. 9.The system of claim 8, wherein the track includes at least a retentionelement extending from a side of the track towards a center of thetrack.